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Monsters of Folk

Teaser Clips Video

Aug 19, 2009

Watch on YouTube

In anticipation of their mega-collaborative debut, Monsters of Folk filmed a series of teaser clips for several songs off the eponymous LP. The indie (for-lack-of-a-better-term) supergroup, consisting of indie heavyweights M. Ward, Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst, My Morning Jacket‘s Jim James (err Yim Yames) and producer Mike Mogis, appear briefly in the short videos, set to music from their September 22nd release, via Shangri-La Music.

Peep the soulful “Dear God (Sincerely MOF)” teaser above and the rest at the links below:

“Say Please” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcoDAlRgdDA

“Man Named Truth” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlSpPSf3ltQ

“The Right Place” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3gU7DxY46I

“Baby Boomer” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAtgq-lwI08

You can also listen to three full tracks, “Say Please,” “Dear God” and “The Sandman, The Brakeman, and Me” on the band’s Myspace page, where you’ll also find information about MOF’s monstrous world tour. Monsters of Folk are going to be featured in our upcoming Fall issue.

ZAZA

“Sooner or Later (Vasili Gavre remix)” MP3

Aug 19, 2009

Multi-instrumentalist and former Warlock, Jennifer Fraser and Pains of Being Pure at Heart cohort Danny Taylor are ZAZA. The shoegaze-y duo released their Cameo EP today through Kanine Records. Now that you know the boring stuff let’s concentrate on the tunes. “Sooner or Later” is a psychedelic slice of Slowdrive-like haze but in the hands of the New York-via-SF remixer Vasili Gavre the lo-fi track takes on a dance-y late night alter ego (is there any other kind of remix?). Taylor’s cherubic vocals skim over some drum machine bounce and prowling synth lines. In addition, Cameo is streaming in full over at Spinner and Vimeo’s got the “Sooner or Later” music video (directed by David Hartman). ZAZA will hit some New York city venues this fall. Go here for dates.

The Very Best

“Yalira” MP3

Aug 19, 2009

If you don’t already know, The Very Best, is the Afropop collaboration between singer Esau Mwamwaya and the Radioclit production team, have a new 7-inch coming out for the excellent single, “Warm Heart of Africa” through Green Owl (Vampire Weekend‘s Ezra Koenig guests on that cut). The indie label is giving away both sides of the single, including the finger-snapping B-side, “Yalira”, which leads off the upcoming Warm Heart of Africa long-player, available digitally August 25th. You snatch a copy here.

ARMS

“Kids Aflame” Video

Aug 19, 2009

Watch on YouTube

ARMSKids Aflame will be re-released on Gigantic Music October 27th. Previously only available on import through Melodic Records in the U.K. the U.S. version of Todd Goldstein’s (guitarist for Harlem Shakes) will feature two new bonus cuts. The music video for the title track cuts straight to the core of the catchy lo-fi album. In the Graham Hughes-helmed clip, a sasquatch-like creature rummages through dumpsters, eats old pizza and finds his true love, err master. This year may have seen a glut of bands with the same leanings but Goldstein’s bedroom recordings crackle with the intimacy of folk music. The rich baritone singer worked on them for over three years and it shows

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Os Mutantes

“Anagrama” MP3

Aug 18, 2009

Our first preview of Haih or Amortecedor, Os Mutantes’ first full-length in 35 years, was “Teclar,” a folkie explosion of psych and flower power mysticism. Bia Mendes takes the mic on the strange duet “Anagrama.” The song, co-written by Sergio Dias and Tom Zé, appriximates floating down a river on a rickety boat with a samba band playing on the deck.

Dias’ thoughts on the somewhat obtuse “Anagrama”:

When I first wrote this song it was too personal but I loved the melody ... So underneath there are lines of some other lyrics that I am singing. It’s a very poetic love song but it was just too personal, so Tom Zé did this really amazing thing where he cut off the last syllable of every word so you would have to figure them out in your head. There is a telephone voice referencing the other lyrics. The music is kind of a here there and everywhere, a bossa nova with a bit of Loving Spoonful in the guitar.

Haih or Amortecedor is out September 8th on Anti-. Os Mutantes will tour the U.S. this fall. (Via Stereogum)

Toro y Moi

“Human Nature” (Michael Jackson cover) MP3

Aug 18, 2009

Toro Y Moi is the musical outlet for 22-year-old Columbia, South Carolina resident Chaz Bundick. Carpark is releasing two very different TYM LPs in 2010 and the two songs (“Blessa” and “109”) on his blissed-out forthcoming single, preview that bifurcated path. The 7-inch single is out October 6th but here’s an equally hazy gem; Toro Y Moi’s cover of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature.” Moi makes the laid back Thriller cut his own, with some bouncy synth lines and noodly guitar. You can’t change too much about the near-perfect fifth (of seven) single from the 1982 smash. He’ll be touring in support of Jemina Pearl and Islands this fall. The cover is taken from, Chum Onah: BXF celebrates the music of M. Jackson, a tribute mixtape that the music blog ButterXFace put out earlier this month.

The Old Believers

Premiere: “It’s With You Now” MP3

Aug 17, 2009

Here at Under the Radar Towers, we’ve been fans of the Portland-via-Alaska folk duo The Old Believers ever since we got a hold of their sophomore full-length, Eight Golden Greats. Though you can initially categorize this new cut, “It’s With You Now,” as another rainy day folk number, the former romantic couple of Nelson Kempf and Keeley Boyle throw in some ‘60s soul brass and girl group sighing. Kempf sings about the melancholic majesty of waking up “feeling empty” and “building a little home to welcome all my darkest thoughts.” Boyle echoes the melody like an Americana version of Stars’ Amy Millan. The beautiful track is on the group’s new split 7-inch, Abe 001, which is coming out August 25th on Brave Recordings. The release will be available at concerts, select Portland stores and digitally or mail order from www.braverecs.com. The release also features Congratulations, Red River and LAKE. We interviewed The Old Believers in our Fall ‘08 issue.

West Coast Tour Dates

08-26 High Dive, Seattle, WA

08-31 Hemlock Tavern - San Francisco, CA

09-03 Silverlake Lounge - Los Angeles, CA

09-06 Trunk Space - Phoenix, AR

09-10 Meadowlark - Denver, CO

09-12 Neurolux - Boise, ID

Lightning Bolt

“Colossus” MP3

Aug 17, 2009

Lightning Bolt has unleashed the first attack from their highly anticipated fifth album, Earthly Delights. “Colossus” is well, colossal! The heavy-hitting bass/drum riot reaches well over seven minutes. This thing can decimate mountains!

Earthly Delights is out as a October 13th, via Load. Check out the Providence, Rhode Island duo’s trippy cover art to the right while listening to “Colossus” above. (Via Pitchfork)

Earthly Delights: